No, That's My Pen (Poetry Corner)

People love to leave their notes in your life story. Like we need the added words. My mind went pouring out, recently. 

No, That's My Pen

Put Your Pencil in Your Pocket

Let Me Erase Your Sentences

For You've Unnecessarily Marked On My Paper

Take Your Colored Markers and Put Them in Their Box

And Your Untrue Spiral Notebook Has Bent Up the Dividers in My Binder

Get Up & Move From My Workspace.

I Have a Story to Finish

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

Social Distanced Ministry Makeup (Answering Questions)

The word Question is a sentence worded or expressed so as to elicit information. I won't waste your time giving you the definition to Answer. I'm going to do just that, answer questions.

Q: Will you ever do makeup tutorials on your Youtube channel?

A: No. I'm not a beauty influencer and I'm going to stay in my lane. That's why I stop talking about that topic here on the blog. But if you ever like a color or product I have on in a photo or video, just ask me and I let you know. If you're interested in a technique, ask & I will share with you the link on how I learned to do it.

Here is the Video Q&A for this post.

Yes, God is still in control like he has been & will be. But your Earthly behind should still be staying in during the COVID-19 pandemic, as much as possible. I didn't go on a tangent. Church & COVID-19 is interesting. But it also nudges the petty in me. I'm praying through it as I pray that we all get through this trying time favorably. I hope you guys are too. I still feel the same as I do in my COVID-19 POST, This Too Shall Pass. But we must be as safe, as positive, and as prayerful as much as possible.

Don't forget, if you have any questions, email them to C.OUT.SPOKEN.DIVA@gmail.com or leave them the comment section below or on the social media site where you see this post. I will answer them.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

Not Scrambling to Wrap a Burrito (OUTSPOKEN_DIVA's Favorite Recipes)

A reader asked and I deliver!

I guess scrambled is the more popular way eggs are eaten. But like many popular things, I am not a fan. It's a texture issue with me. But I like the occasional breakfast and brunch burrito. So, one day I decided to make one without them. And well, me struggling through the usual way is no more. Want to join me? Here we go!

Yeah, most people would just make a breakfast burrito without the eggs and go on. And sometimes I am most people.

Go-To Scrambled Egg-less Breakfast Burrito

Ingredients:

• 1 pound mild bulk sausage
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups frozen hash brown potatoes, Southern-style
• 1 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
• 1 can (4.5 oz) chopped green chile
• 12 flour tortillas (10 inches in )
• 2 cups shredded Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese blend
• 3/4 cup Salsa (of your choice)

Directions:

1. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add sausage to pan and cook until sausage is crumbled about 8 minutes. Drain and cover to keep warm; set aside.
2. Return skillet to medium heat and add oil, hash browns, onion, and pepper and. Cook 10 minutes. Mix in the drained sausage.
3. Arrange the sausage-hash brown mixture, cheese, & salsa along the top part of a large table or countertop. Spread out all ten tortillas on the same table or countertop. Begin topping tortillas with each item, arranging the toppings in the center of the tortilla, in a line, starting shredded cheese, next with the burrito mixture, another layer of cheese and ending with salsa.
4. Follow "How to Make a Burrito or Wrap" directions. Enjoy!

And then sometimes you want to lighten up your meal. Maybe replace the meat & take away the cheese & potatoes. Here's a tasty way.

Vegetarian Bean and Rice Burrito

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked rice (pre-cooked or leftover)
• 2 limes (juiced)
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (chopped)
• 1/2 onion (diced)
• 3 to 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or olive oil)
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans (or pinto beans, drained)
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (or to taste)

Directions

1. In a large bowl, toss together the fresh chopped cilantro with the leftover cooked rice and drizzle with a bit of fresh lime juice. Heat in the microwave or on the stove just until hot, and give it a quick stir.
2. In a separate large skillet, sauté the onion and garlic in vegetable oil or olive oil for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the onion is soft.
3. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the black beans or pinto beans and season with the chili powder, cumin, and hot sauce, stirring to combine. You can add a bit of salt if you'd like, but you shouldn't need too much with all the other seasonings. Allow the beans to cook until heated through, about 5 minutes.
4. Spoon the cilantro lime rice and the black beans onto lightly warmed flour tortillas, and add any additional toppings you want, such as salsa, avocado slices or guacamole, or black olives.
5. Follow "How to Make a Burrito or Wrap" directions. Enjoy!

I made this yumminess on accident. I put the tartine toppings on a tortilla instead of multi-grain bread. Well, I'm a 92% Waste Not-Want Not type and this delicious dish was made.

Spinach-Mushroom Tartine Wrap

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp Canola or Olive Oil
• 1/2 tsp minced garlic (optional)
• 1/2 lb assorted mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
• 1 cup Spinach leaves
• 1 tortilla
• 1 egg
• 1 slice Swiss cheese (optional)
• Salt and pepper (optional)

Directions

1. In a medium non-stick frying pan, heat oil. Add mushrooms, and garlic if desired. Cook until softened, 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Add spinach and a pinch each of salt and pepper; stir to combine. Cook for a minute until spinach has wilted, then push the mixture to one side of the frying pan or remove the mixture from the pan and keep it warm.
3. Warm tortilla. While the tortilla is warming crack an egg into the frying pan. Cook until the white is set and the yolk is cooked as desired. (A hard yolk is my preference)
4. Set tortilla on a plate. Place cheese on tortilla. Then add a fried egg on top of the cheese. Spoon mushroom and spinach mixture over the egg. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, if desired.
5. Follow "How to Make a Burrito or Wrap" directions. Enjoy!

How to Fold a Burrito or Wrap

To fold each tortilla, take one side running parallel with the line of burrito/wrap filling and pull it up and over the filling. Press the filling and tuck the tortilla under the line of filling. Tuck each side of the tortilla in toward the center of the burrito/wrap, then roll the whole burrito/wrap so that the filling is completely enclosed.

Burritos & Wraps can be enjoyed immediately or can be individually wrapped and frozen in a large freezer bag. To reheat, microwave on defrost 1 minute, followed by full power for 1 minute 15 seconds. Let sit for 2 to 3 minutes, then enjoy

When one of you guys, my readers asked, "I can't imagine a Breakfast Burrito without scrambled eggs. Can I have a recipe?", I was happy to oblige. I know I'm weird. But it warms my heart when I say I don't eat foods everyone and basically get an "Oh Ok, show me your way". And That's My Truth. I hope these are tasty recipes for you.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

They Brought the Sunshine!

Who does not know how I feel about The Clark Sisters? Apparently, you are new to the blog. There is at least one Women's History Month post dedicated to Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark & a few Black Music Month lists with their songs listed. I have a favorite song from the group as a whole and from each individual sister's album. (Oh that reminds me to call LJ and mischievously ask him a question involving one of Dorinda's songs LoL) And y'all know Twinkie is my favorite. The late, great Billy Preston & she are the Best organists ever. And I've watched the group's Unsung episode so much, I could probably recite it like an Easter speech.

So, you know I was first & center watching Lifetime's The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel when it premiered. And usually, my reviews are about the Good, the Bad & the Diva. But with this movie being a biopic, I want to do something. I want to review the Bold Face Truth.

Bold:

Bravo to Kierra "KiKi" Sheard.  All the actors were great but Ms. Sheard touched my heart. Kierra Sheard, also a singer & designer is the daughter of the lady she portrayed, Karen Clark-Sheard. When she did the scene dealing with her mother's weight loss surgery & coma, I got chills. Have you ever heard her song "You Don't Know"? Listen to it HERE.

This is the 2nd verse.

Now let me tell you about what He did for my mother

And at the same time took a load off me

Just when the doctor said that is was over

My God, He stepped right in and gave her back to me

Kierra has always been candid about her feelings during that time. She says that she was going to be done with the Lord if Karen had died. So, for her to act out that moment as her mom, was deep to me. I might have to look at an interview with her talking about that scene. If she said she was super emotional, I would totally understand.

Face:

The Fashions, the costumes were spot on & fabulous. I was waiting on the fur coats after "You Brought the Sunshine" became a hit. That's just what you did, buy some real leather & fur. Anjunae Ellis, who was Mattie Moss Clark (She was great as her) wore those pillbox hats like they should have been called Aunjunae-box hats.

But that Pearl Collared Choir Robe she wore during the convention scene topped the Best Mattie Look for me. All could say was, "Get it, Mattie". Oh and you know I Love a wonderful dress suit. My wardrobe is full of them. And if the daughters' white suit costumes at their mother's funeral didn't scream 90s Sunday Best, I don't what they do. I could see teenage me trying to save my lunch money trying to buy one of those suits.

Truth:

Such as life, the major characters are not the good guys or the bad guys. They are the good guys and the bad guys. Before you judge The Clark Family, take this lesson from my grandfather.

Those Folks are People, too.

Their individual testimony songs will tickle my ear different for me now that I have seen this movie.

The scene where the group was paid low was happening as they were performing in the concert movie, The Gospel. Now, I want to know if the Mighty Clouds of Joy, Shirley Caesar, Walter Hawkins, and the Family, and the Rev. James Cleveland were robbed also. Also, I would've liked a scene or two if their brother, Leo Cullum as a character. The sisters have a brother.

As I said on Facebook, this was a Very Good movie. I want Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliot, and The Clark Sisters(both actual & actresses) to Take a Bow. I truly appreciate these sisters telling this story. Oh, and my favorite line was from Mattie Moss Clark.
"Your Anointing is the Life You Live".

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!!!

What? It's Easter Time!!!

The 1st Easter service wasn't crowded either ~ Bishop T.D. Jakes, Senior Pastor of The Potter's House (aka TPH)

It's My Favorite Time of Year!!! It is the Easter season. I know the world's climate is not ideal at all. But it's still as I learned in college, "Rez Week" or Holy Week. Recently, I read this in an encouragement my cousin sent one morning.

"Just because we are all staying home and not going out much does not mean that we should allow our faith to be a reservoir.

It's pointless to be a reservoir, as we know a reservoir is used to store up that source of encouragement and nourishment, and it never gets to where it needs to go. But a river will bring the source of encouragement and nourishment to where it is needed the most."

So, I'm letting my river flow on this post. There are several lists of entertaining ways to mentally survive this Social Distancing time. Heck, I made one. Well, here is one to help keep us commemorate & celebrate Jesus dying and rising with all power for us.

It's Still Easter 2020 Mix
Find it HERE

Sacred List

Hosanna
Don't Cry Me

Calvary

He Decided (My Favorite of Them All)

He Was Hung Up For My Hang-Ups

No Greater Love
Don't Cry

Just as I Am

Redeemer

He 'Rose

Matthew 28

He Got Up

The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power

I Know It Was the Blood

The Blood Still Works

Secular - Because they provide Smiles too

Here Comes Peter Cottontail

Easter Parade
Bunny Hop
The Funny Little Bunny
The Candy Man

It is Palm Sunday when I am making this post. I have tears to my eyes as the worship team of my church, TPH  virtually & yet very passionately sings some of those very songs. It does my heart good when I know these tunes don't just touch me, but others, too. It is The Blood & The Love that will get us through this time. We have to Believe, Know, & Trust that.

Have a Good Rez Week! Happy Easter! Happy Ressurection Day!

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!!!

A Recipe for Blind Boxers(Answering Questions)

Questions, Questions, Questions...We all have Questions. And hopefully, I can answer yours.

Q: The question is the meme.

A: I had to go run over to Wikipedia and make sure of a definition before I answered this.
A blind date is a social engagement between two people who have not previously met, usually arranged by a mutual acquaintance. 
Though he's not my type, physically, I'm not vain. But I wouldn't go out with him unless I could confirm he was the same man I spoke with previously. He could be a joke or a test. I don't go out on any dates without at least a phone conversation. So, his voice & what we talked about will be proof. Also, his attitude about me asking him to identify himself will help me to decide who I would go out with him.
With that said, know that I will more than likely not be speaking to someone in my life. I know I asked what does he look like. And clearly, that "matchmaker" lied.

I am careful with people playing matchmaker. I have some interesting tales that will go into my memoir on that subject. None of the people in my life can set me up on dates. A lot of dating checkmarks go uncheck. And many assumptions were made, that got everyone pretty much banned from "hooking me up".

Q:  I can't imagine a Breakfast Burrito without scrambled eggs. Can I have a recipe?

A: I am going to upgrade your request. I will make a post about nothing but scramble egg-less burritos & wraps. Stay Tuned!!!

This Post's Video Question & Answer

The video is in reference to a question asked about something said in this POST. And I'm serious about that Cash App request. LoL I could go for some new boxers & slips.

Don't forget, if you have any questions, email them to C.OUT.SPOKEN.DIVA@gmail.com. I will answer them.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!!!

Settling These Brunch Debates

Recently, I went to my first virtual brunch with two of my best friends, Intellectual Diva, ID, and Beatie Boo, LJ. I believe Brunch is the favorite meal of everyone in my friend group. Of course, when you're hanging with friends it has to be a good time. And it was.

We had turkey sausage, bacon, eggs, toast, fruit on our Social Distanced plates. And we sipped rum punch, mimosas, & poinsettia punch as we talked & laughed with one another via screens. Well, that cheerful interaction is what inspired this post. What are the tastiest things to have at Brunch? Well, I'll give you 10 of them.

10 of the Tastiest Brunch Items

10. Chicken & Waffles 

Though it has become so trendy & popular, it is really delicious. The savory & sweet contrast of this meal is almost perfect.

9. Steak & Eggs

It's a very classic dish. And some weekend mornings call for the rich indulgence of butter & sizzling from it.

8. Monté Cristo
Ham, Turkey, Cheese Fried in Battered Bread (sometimes French Toast) garnished with confectioners sugar & raspberry preserves probably doesn't make the healthiest sandwich. But this is brunch, eat better before & after you indulge in this.

7. Shrimp Newburg with Saffron Rice & Greens

I told you guys in this POST, at a brunch once in Maryland, I got a chance to have Shrimp Newburg. I noticed how the locals were dishing it up on their plates. So, when in Rome... 

6. Brunch Burrito (w/o Scrambled Eggs)

I'm not a fan of scrambled eggs(texture)(There are two exceptions, Omelets & Pancake Pot Pie.) It's like combining everything on your plate in a wrap. Sounds easy & convenient.

5. Poinsettia Punch

I'll say it! Orange juice & champagne though sometimes bottomless can become boring & common. Cranberry juice, St Germaine, vodka, & champagne is refreshing to find on any brunch menu.

4. Fruit Salad

Hey, it all can't be rich, gooey, & fried. I think fruit is the most pairable dish in the culinary world. What other dish can also be an appetizer or dessert? You can find a good recipe for it with a Poppy Seed dressing and the Poinsettia Punch, HERE.

3. Pancake Pot Pie

At a restaurant called Ellen's in Dallas' West End, they combine layers of pancakes, maple cream sausage & onion gravy, crumbled hickory bacon, browned sausage, hash browns, scrambled eggs, and cheddar cheese. It's enough meal for two. And if you get hooked(like others I told about it have) blame my friend, Pink Red. She was the person who introduced it to me.

2. Pot Roast Hash

First of all, if you haven't ever made hash the next day after a Pot Roast dinner, you haven't lived. Now, add an egg(any style) and you might thank me for the next day.

1. Chicken Biscuit Sandwich
This has to be what the word "comfort food" dreams about. Your favorite from a fast food place is cute. But this (Like the one at 303 Grill in Dallas) hugs you like a blanket. 


Honorable Mentions are a Ham Sandwich with Fig & Sage Jam(In Dallas, go to Nova in Bishop Arts), Denver Omelet, & Bottom-less Mimosas.

Well, you can see, when I go to Brunch, I tend to go in. I mean if something is going to be your favorite meal, it has to have delightful food. Is my list your truth, also? Probably not! What is your Tastiest Brunch Item list? I want to see it.

As Always Talking to You in  Adult Terms;